Sub-committee reviews journalists’ plot, flat allocation under FGEHA scheme

ISLAMABAD, Oct 06 (APP): A sub-committee of the Senate Standing Committee on Information and Broadcasting on Tuesday reviewed the implementation of recommendations regarding the distribution of plots and flats reserved for journalists and media workers under the Federal Government Employees Housing Authority (FGEHA) scheme.

The meeting, convened by Senator Syed Waqar Mehdi at the PTV Headquarters, also reviewed existing quotas allocated to journalists and media workers under the scheme.

Senators Syed Waqar Mehdi and Jan Muhammad, along with officials of the relevant authorities, attended the meeting.

The general secretary of the Press Club Islamabad briefed the sub-committee that the ministry was fully cooperating with it and that progress on the matter remained on schedule. He said the first phase of the plan had been completed and implementation had entered its second phase.

Several journalists who had applied under the programme were also present and raised their grievances before the sub-committee. The committee assured them that their concerns would be addressed promptly.

The convener directed all relevant stakeholders to be taken on board and called for adoption of a transparent mechanism. He said lists of applicants fulfilling the criteria should be placed on the websites of the relevant forums, including the Press Club.

He said journalists and media workers performed their duties day and night and that the committee was fully aware of the hardships they faced while working in the field.

The convener directed ministry officials to submit all relevant rules and regulations to the committee. He assured the participants that the issue would be resolved and said the sub-committee would submit its recommendations by the end of the month.

A follow-up meeting would be held thereafter, he added.